Yoshiko Sakurai is the supreme national treasure, in the sense defined by Saichō. She is a treasure beyond all others. Her weekly column “Renaissance,” alongside Masayuki Takayama’s, graces the final pages of Shukan Shincho. The following is from her column published in today’s issue, titled “The Cowardice of ‘Relative Majority’.” All emphasis within the body text, excluding the headline, is mine.

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The Cowardice of “Relative Majority”

I was stunned by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s remarks following his crushing defeat in the Upper House election. “We’ve secured the seats of the relative majority,” he declared. “In politics, not even a moment of stagnation is permissible. We must fulfill our responsibility as the relative majority.” I had never heard the term “relative majority” used this way before—who concocted this underhanded phrase? Before facing the press, Ishiba met with LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi. Moriyama echoed the exact same line: “We will fulfill our responsibility as the relative majority.” It’s clear the two agreed on this phrasing in advance. Their intent to push this narrative is unmistakable. This reveals the true nature of the Ishiba-Moriyama alliance.

As I was writing this, I noticed an article in the Asahi Shimbun (July 22 edition), reporting that on the night of the 19th—just before the vote—Ishiba, Minister for Internal Affairs Murakami Seiichirō, Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki Kazuhiko had secretly gathered at a Tokyo hotel. There, they resolved to “remain in office even without a majority.” What I see in Ishiba, burning with the will to cling to power alongside his close allies like Murakami and Iwaya, is a self-righteous man completely detached from the will of the people, who clearly said “No” to Ishiba’s LDP.

Before the election, Ishiba claimed the coalition of the LDP and Komeito had a goal of winning 50 seats—enough to maintain a majority in the Upper House. That target was already significantly lower than the 66 seats they held before the election. In a prayer he reportedly began offering in 2020, the Christian Ishiba included a line that seemed directed at former Prime Minister Abe: “Please drive away those who serve false gods,” and more explicitly, “Let the righteous take their rightful positions.” “Let us pray fervently to the true God.” (*From “Let Us Pray Together: The Sayings of Shigeru Ishiba,” Adam Publishing.) In these words, I sense Ishiba’s dark passion and jealousy toward Abe.

Yet, even this minimum majority would not have been possible without the legacy left behind by the very man he cursed—Abe Shinzo. Needless to say, Ishiba shows no gratitude for that. Instead, he aimed only for survival by setting the lowest of low targets—and even then, he failed.

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The Weight of a Prime Minister’s Words

As a result, the LDP lost its majority in both houses of the Diet for the first time since its founding. Under Abe’s leadership, the LDP had achieved—for the first time ever—the two-thirds supermajority required to revise the Constitution. That was Abe’s historic achievement. But in just ten months, Ishiba lost not only the supermajority but the majority itself in both houses. A truly historic defeat.

So why does he remain in office? He says it’s because he wants to create “excellent policies” to resolve the national crises Japan faces. These include U.S. tariffs, inflation, and natural disasters.

With a dull demeanor and unsettling, fixed gaze, Ishiba used polite language to explain why he must stay in power. He spoke of “facing issues sincerely,” “serving the troubled citizens,” and acting with “utmost devotion.” But no matter how polite his language, the prime minister’s words carry weight. And in Ishiba’s case, they are tragically divorced from reality. Though his statements sound noble, they are—in truth—repulsive.

If he is to remain, how will he solve the major crises he listed? How does he plan to prevent major earthquakes, tsunamis, or torrential rains? He offers no concrete plans. Regarding tariffs, he dispatched Akazawa Ryosei to the United States, but with no scheduled meetings, Akazawa was left to repeatedly beg for talks. This is not diplomacy—it is national disgrace. How does the international community view Akazawa’s pitiful appeals? Even if quiet negotiations are ongoing, unless Ishiba communicates clearly with President Trump, nothing will move forward. In fact, it is Ishiba himself who is the cause of this stagnation. Such Ishiba diplomacy only invites scorn from the world.

Looking at all this, Ishiba has failed to carry out a single one of the duties he cites as justification for staying in power. The prime minister’s words are nothing but lies. Simply put, Ishiba’s nature closely resembles that of a fraud.

Ishiba officially declared his continuation as prime minister on the 21st at party headquarters. Present were LDP Vice President Suga Yoshihide, Secretary-General Moriyama, Policy Research Council Chair Onodera Itsunori, General Council Chair Suzuki Shunichi, and Election Strategy Chair Kihara Seiji. To me, they looked like a lifeless group completely subdued by Ishiba’s influence.

Ishiba once said—clearly referring to Abe—“An organization rots from the head down.” And now, Ishiba’s LDP is proving that very point.

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Nothing More Than the Ishiba Party

The appearance of the executive members who gathered at LDP headquarters made one thing clear: the party is beginning to rot, and a massive drift is now inevitable. That is precisely why the LDP must be taken back from Ishiba’s grasp. There is no path forward other than Ishiba’s immediate resignation.

The LDP’s Kōchi Prefectural Federation has decided to formally request Ishiba’s early resignation, led by its Vice President, House of Representatives member Masanao Ozaki. Similarly, under the leadership of its advisor, House member Hideaki Suzuki, the Mie Prefectural Federation will also submit a formal request. Discontent among regional chapters toward both the prime minister and party leadership is growing by the day.

The current LDP is no longer the original Liberal Democratic Party—it is nothing more than the Ishiba Party. This is a party composed of Ishiba’s allies, long praised by Asahi Shimbun for their constant role as the internal opposition, always “firing from behind.” It is no surprise, then, that such an Ishiba-led LDP shows no guiding philosophy for leading Japan in the right direction amid global upheaval. They offer no concrete solutions to the pressing policy issues before them.

Due to his sheer lack of study, Ishiba possesses only outdated knowledge from a generation ago and is utterly incapable of keeping pace with the current tides of international affairs.

Yet if we turn our gaze away from the Ishiba group, we find that the LDP still holds considerable talent. At the forefront is Sanae Takaichi, who enjoys widespread public support. Takayuki Kobayashi, too, is recognized as a bright and composed candidate for prime minister. As previously mentioned, Hideaki Suzuki is a capable politician with gubernatorial experience and a solid national vision. Former Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, representing Kumamoto, earned a strong reputation during his time in office for his unwavering sense of statehood, international perspective, and sound policy judgment. With his calm demeanor, he stands among the most suitable figures for prime minister.

Despite having no shortage of such capable individuals, many citizens have turned away from the LDP. This is because those currently at the forefront of the party are simply not up to the task. The only path forward is to dismantle Ishiba’s LDP and rebuild under new leadership.

Some may wonder, given the severity of both domestic and international circumstances, who would dare raise their hand. But the one who takes up the first spear must not be afraid. Because the Japanese people will surely recognize and support a leader who is willing to stake their political life on restoring Japan. Without such a person rising, the rebirth of the LDP will never come—now or ever.